Street design

Public realm

Streets and Public Realm

Street Design

Introduction

Responding to local context is just as important in the design of streets as it is in buildings and structures. The design of a new street should consider the intended land use, especially in new developments or in areas of regeneration where land use might be changing. The street design should clearly show how this response has been achieved.

Features of street design

  • Appropriate height to width ratio between street and neighbouring buildings
  • Active and overlooked street edges
  • Balanced distribution of space for multi-modal travel
  • Encouragement of active travel modes
  • Accessible public realm and crossings

SPSD 1

Active travel and street hierarchy

Examples of an active travel street

Safe separated cycle lanes provided where space allows on all new streets, alongside adequate facilities for storage

Slow active travel (walking, wheelchairs, pushchairs)

Fast active travel (cycles, mobility scooter, scooters)

Furnishing zones (furniture, lighting, dining areas)

Road infrastructure (carriageway, bus stops)

Parking (cars, deliveries, electrical charging)

Green / blue infrastructure (SUDs, street trees)

Pedestrian footway

Wheelchair accessible

Cycle accessible lane

Scooter accessible lane

Mobility scooter accessible lane

Buffer zone for cycle lanes

Furnishing zone

Outdoor dining zone

Carriageway for cars

On-street parking and charging

Street trees

Sustainable Urban Drainage

SPSD 2

Safe streets and attractive public realm

Street width calculator

Use the calculator below to visually see what uses can be provided in streets of different width. 

SPSD 3

Futureproofing

SPSD 4

Street trees, SuDS and landscape

Built examples

Street Trees

Sustainable Urban Drainage

SPSD 5

On-street car parking

Example of on-street parking

Built examples of on-street parking

Street design case studies

Abode, Cambridge

Abode, Cambridge by Proctor and Matthews / BBUK Studio Limited for Countryside Properties Timber cladding, gable ends, a pedestrian focused public realm and generous planting

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Egham Gateway

Egham Gateway master plan by Allford Monaham Morris Egham Gateway is a new mixed use development in the Runnymede borough of Surrey. Four mixed use

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Permeable paving options